The Racing R&D department is a small group of 14 people who cooperate with teams at the world championships in almost all categories of road and off-road motorcycling. We measure our achievement by counting world champions, and we have over 200 so far. Our mission is to strengthen the Akrapovič brand name. We achieve this through the results and media coverage that come from our competitive products. Our main advantages are flexibility (short development and production lead times), cutting-edge technology, race-proven experience (knowhow), determination, dedication, and passion.

Soon after the inception of Akrapovič in 1991, then just a micro company, it transformed from a tuning shop into a true company, specializing in designing high-quality exhausts for sport bikes. The timing was perfect because there was a huge demand for such products by the top racing teams in the German Pro Superbike Championship. After entering the World Superbike Championship in the 1990s, a special team was formed to further develop exhausts for racing teams. At first, all members of the team did everything, whereas later the ever-increasing and more complex demands at all levels forced them to specialise, yet still complement one another.

This team in the Akrapovič Racing Service has played a part in more than 200 world championship titles. One of the biggest and most ground-breaking moments came in 1999, when all of the Japanese factory racing teams and the Italian marque Aprilia were using Akrapovič exhausts at the World Superbike Championship. In the 2000 season, the company helped Honda win the WorldSBK title with Colin Edwards, which was the first world championship title for an Akrapovič exhaust. The Texas Tornado repeated the success in 2002.

At first, the Akrapovič Racing Service participated in road races. They joined off-road racing relatively late; a first prototype exhaust for an off-road racing bike was made in 1994 for Husqvarna. A special chapter in the development is dedicated to cooperation with Austrian KTM; Joel Smets secured the first off-road world title in the World Motocross Championship in 2003.

The company and especially its Racing Service reached a significant milestone in the US market. In 2008, it helped Yamaha rider Chad Reed win the AMA/FIM Supercross title; it repeated the same success with James Stewart the following year. In 2012, Jorge Lorenzo won the MotoGP title on his Yamaha YZR-M1; it was the fruit of collaboration with the Yamaha Factory Racing team. In the 2012 season, Akrapovič once again won 13 world titles in motorcycle racing.

By winning the MXGP World Championship, Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) became the 150th world champion to win the title with a racing bike equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust system. Confirmation that 2021 was a really great season for the Akrapovič company and its Racing Service is proven by even more titles, including the triple MotoGP crown: MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Moto2 World Champion Remy Gardner, and Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta (both Red Bull KTM Ajo).

What is the recipe for all these victories? It is the specific attitude of the Racing Service towards modern and advanced technology in conjunction with the use of titanium that differentiates Akrapovič products. The company also effectively uses cutting-edge testing equipment and a laboratory to analyse and develop new materials; the team utilizes the skills of prototype welders and their own knowhow and experience, acquired through years of working with top riders and teams in the world.

Designing a high-quality exhaust system mainly depends on a few factors. First one needs a suitable space. The second important feature is the performance level; even the best racers can do nothing if they cannot transfer power to the ground: linear distribution of power is of great importance. Last but not least, the system must be durable and lightweight, which demands the best possible compromise between total mass, capabilities, materials, and design. After the first prototypes are made, test results determine the follow-up development. Usually, between 400 and 600 measurements are carried out on the dynamometer for measuring power, torque, and noise. When a prototype is finally approved, a master sample is created. However, this is not the end of the process. When an exhaust is installed, it should be maintained, making it even better.

The Racing Service is led by Slavko Alojz Trstenjak; his group cooperates with more than 100 racing teams from all over the world, and so they can continuously measure the results of their work. This would not be possible without a well-oiled team, which includes people originating from the world of motorsport or with an affinity for and experience with the area, which further contributes to the success. Success is also the result of overall dedication, knowhow, determination, and an exceptional desire to reach the highest step on the podium.